Meet The Makers – Jessica Briggs & Nawal Gebreel

Saturday 2 December 2023, 2pm – 4pm

at the Bluecoat Display Centre

We are delighted to announce jeweller Jessica Briggs and textile designer Nawal Gebreel have been selected for our 2023 ‘In the Window’ Artist Member display. Their work will be on display throughout December.

This is an opportunity for to meet and chat to Jessica & Nawal about their works and inspiration. You can also try both Jessica’s jewellery and Nawal’s scarves on to see how they might be worn. These versatile pieces are ideal gifts for Christmas or to treat yourself.

Free entry.

Nawal will also be running a Scarf Making Workshop on Sunday 3rd December from 11am – 4.30pm. Tickets are now available, you can book a place in the gallery at this event or call us on 0151 709 4014. Places are limited.

Jessica Briggs’ most recent collection has its origins in the beautiful, small paper boxes her son made at after-school club, many years ago. She was drawn to the ridges and pimples created by the folding and opening of the paper and inevitably, eventually, wanted to capture these, in silver. Pieces are shaped and formed before lustrous pure gold foil is fused to the silver surface. A graphite-like finish is given to many items by hand painting an oxide onto selected areas of the design. Having honed her metal-working skills for the last 27 years, Jessica still draws hugely from her previous career as a surface print designer and her first degree in Printed and Woven Textile Design. It is her love of both pattern and texture which shines through her work and sets it apart from other contemporary jewellers.

The latest collection from accessories designer Nawal Gebreel presents a series of opulent origami shapes, sultry swirls, metamorphosed silks and of course the label’s signature – of perfect pleats in abundance. Elaborate scarves dominate this collection and range from day to evening – simple to the more avant-garde. Using a rich colour palette and only the most sumptuous textiles, each design has its own versatility and can be worn as both a casual or a more elegant evening look. Each item is handmade, stitched and fused with a variety of fabrics to retain each pleat even after wear or wash. The abundance of technique is extraordinary as is the depth of craftsmanship. Nawal’s ability to work fabrics into art into fashion makes each item personal and unique.

A selection of pieces by Jessica and Nawal will be available to purchase via our online shop.

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